Scraper and apron



Dec. 20, 1932.

c. LE BLEU SCRAPER AND APRON Filed Aug. 10', 1951 v55heecs-Sheet lINVENTOR 6719/12; [65/64 BY MM A TORNEYS Dec. 2o, 1932.

c. LE BLEU SCRAPER AND APRON Filed Aug. 10, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR Cfiar/e5 [6 676a ATTOR N v Dec. 20, 1932. c BLEU 1,891,427

SCRAPER AND APRON Filed Aug. 10. 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Tic. b

INVENTOR aka/A 5 (c 6/6 ATTORNEYS Dec. 20, 1932. c. LE BLEU SCRAPER ANDAPRON Filed Aug. 10. 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR (770/765 [2 5/? BY W%ce ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 20, 1932 UNITED STATES,

CHARLES LE BI IE'U, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA SGRAPER AND APBONApplication filed August 10, 1931. Serial No. 556,058.

This invention relates to a scraper and 7 is a section as seen on theline 7-7 in Fig.

leveller having a revoluble bucket. Such devices are commonlyconstructed so that they fall in one of three classes, namely, longhaul, shorthaul and levelling. Long haul scrapers are deemed to-be thosewhich operate most efliciently on distances of from six hundred feetupward; short haul fifty to six hundred feet and levelling those forfinish work. A scraper falling in any one of the three classes doesnotoperate efficiently when used for work in the other classes. For thisreason and in View of the fact that nearly all jobs of earth movinginvolve all three classes of work, equipment including all three typesis required. This results in a large investment in scrapers by thoseperforming such work.

The present invention has for its primary :0 object the provision of ascraperadaptable to all three classes of work. Another more specificobject is to provide a scraper of the wheeled type having a jointedframe adaptable to raising and lowering and tilting the bucket withoutliftin the wheels from the ground. A further 0 ject of this invention isthe provision of a scraper having an apron to close the front of thebucket in carrying position and to open the front in digging and dumpingpositions; means to hold the bucket in any of these three positions andto adjust the tilt within the three positions; and-automatic means toswin the apron. A still further object of this invention is to providepower actuated mechanism to operate the adjustment, and manuallycontrolled means for said mechanism.

These objects are accomplished by the embodiment of my inventionillustrated in the 10 accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a sideview of a scraper with bucket in load carrying position; Fig. 2 is afragmentary side view of a scraper having a modified form of apronoperating mecha- 4 nism; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of thestructure shown in Fig. 1; Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary side views ofthe structure shown in Fig. 1 in digging and dumping positionsrespectively; Fig. 6 is a section as seen on the plane designated 66 inFig. 3; Fig.

6; Fig. 8 is a section through a reversing gear set used in the scraper;Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section through a frame side bar at the knuckle;Fig. 10 is a sectional view as seen '55 on the plane designated 1010 inFig. 9, and Fig. 11 is a side view of the scraper-set upfor levelling.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive, a frame A isprovided with a-r ticulated side bars comprlsing sections 15a and 156.Rear wheels 16 support the rear part of the frame and the front isprovided with brfdles at the apex of which front wheels 17 are mountedon any suitable king bolt structure. The frame is adapted to be towed bya tractor or like machine. Mounted upon the frame is a revoluble bucketB which is held in adjustable position by control mechanism indicatedgenerally by C. An apron for closing the front of the bucket in carryingposition and linkage for operating thesame is indicated by D. A jointwhich breaks in one direction is provided between sections 15a and 15bof the side bars, section 15a having an overhanging wall as best shownin Figs. 9 and 10, and denoted 150. Section l5o-extends under the walland is pivotally secured to section 15a by a bolt 15d. Bolt-openings 156are provided in sections 15a and 15?) so as to be in registration whenthe sections are in alinement. The joint is a knuckle of the rule type.

The bucket B comprises side plates 18 of substantially ovoid form with aflat lower edge. The back of the bucket is closed by arcuate plate 19.At the front and opposite to the back plate are rail plates 20. At thebottom of the back plate 19 is a digging blade 21. The bottom of thebucket may be closed by a plate 22 detachably bolted to the end plates18 and having a digging blade 23 at the front. Passing about the backplate 19 between the sides of the bucket are outstanding rib bars 24having catch bars 25 and 26 secured thereto.

Pivotally mounted on the frame is a rocker arm comprising parallel bars27. Extending between the bars at the upper end is a pivot erating leverbolt 28 having mounted thereon a longitudinally movable rod 29consisting of a pair of bars with a front dog 30 pivotally mountedthereon. Engaging the front dog is an op- 31 having a stem 32 pivotallysecured thereto and passing through a bracket 33. A compression spring34 tends to hold lever 31 to maintain the dog 30 projecting below rod29. Dog 30 has a roller 30a riding in a recess in lever 31. Thus, theleverage applied to the handle 31a is multiprlied in its transmission todog 30. Spaced om and tothe rear of dog 30 is a gravity dog, 35. Thespace between the dogs is for accommodation of either catch 25 or 26., Acatch may pass from the rear and raise d 35 so as to pass thereover. Thedog 35 provents the catch from moving in the opposite direction. A catchcannot pass dog 30 unless the latter is raised which ay be accomplishedby swinging lever 31 toward the out. Rod 29 overhangs rocker 27 and isfurther .iupported by an auxiliary two bar rocker 36 aving elongatedopenings 37 for reception of a p1n38 secured to rod 29. The elongatedopenlngs 3:? allow rod 29 to swing on pivot pm 28 and the rear end tofollow the bucket 1n its revolution. Mounted between the bars comprisingrocker arms 27 and swivelled thereto is a nut 39 having sleeve ends.

shaft 43 which may wardly to swings. bucket into digging posi- Threadedinto the nut 39 is an actuating shaft 40 mounted in the swivelled thrustbearing 41 secured to the frame. The shaft 40 is connected by auniversal joint 42 to an operating be secured to any suitable'smalleractuated mechanism for turning the shaft. Tn tlfia present instance, thereversing gear set shown in Fig. 8 is connected to'shaft 43. The rod Cmay have its latch mechanism engaging the upper projection or catch 25on the bucket and will thereby hold the bucket in a suitable carrying ordigging position as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. Assummg that'the bucket isin the carrying osition shown in Fig. 1, by operation 0 the actuatingshaft, the rod 29 ma be moved fortion shown in g.-4. To return thebucket to carrying position, the shaft is rotated in the oppositedirection. If the bucket is in car 11 position and it is desired to dumpthe oati actuator 31 is moved to release the dog 30 and the scraper iscontinued in its forward movement. The bucket will roll over and indoing so will break the frame knuckles as shown in Fig. 5. This willaccommodate the position of the bucket with without lifting the Wheels.The operator lever 31 may be swung to release dog30 and rolling overof'the bucket continued until catch 25 engages between the dogs and thescraper is ready for another cycle of operations.

In carrying position, in order to avoid loss of the load, an apron isprovided. This 5 apron indicated shield 44 having side platesregistering with the side plates 18 of the bucket. The apron is mountedon theframe A by a pair of link :arms 45 pivotally secured at the 11p ofshield 44 and to the sidebar sections 15a. Link -arms 46 also pivotallysecure the apron at its top to the side bar sections 15a. Secured to theapron at about the center of its lip is an arm 47 having pivotallyattached thereto 'acam 48 which is also pivotally attached to the frameat the standard of 49. Cam 48 has anopening 48a for a follower roller 50mounted between the bars of a follower link 51 secured to rocker arm 27.The roller 49 is also pivotally mounted upon a guide arm 52 secured tothe frame by a pivot pin 53. The constructionis such that with thebucket in carrying position as shown in Fig. 1, the follower 50 isdisposed in cam 48 in such a position to hold arm 47 with the apron 44in closed the shaft 40 is rotated to pull rod .29 forwardly and therebytip the bucket to a position such as'shown in Fig. 4. Movement of thefollower and transmission of motion through the cam 48 and bar 47 to theapron causes the latter to be swung upwardly and away from the bucket.The bucket may be released from the latch on rod 29 and allowed to rollover to such a position as'shown in Fig. 5, the apron being returnedfrom the position shown in Fig. 4, but still being away from the bucket.

In Fig. 2, a modification of the means for generally by D comprises aposition. When it is desired to dig,

transmitting motion from the cam 48 to, the

section 55 wound thereon and connected to' the apron and a cable section56 wound on the drum and connected to the cam. It will be noted that themotion from the cam to the apron may be multiplied by thisconstruction.-

It may be desired to operate the device as a leveller. In this instance,a locking pin is passed through openings 15c as shown in Fig. 11. Thislooks the knuckle of the frame. The trunnion mounts are moved from aposition back of the center of the bucket to a. position forward asshown in Fig. 11. The bottom plate 22 ofthe bucket is removed. Catches25 and 26 are removed from rib plates 24 and a projection 57 substitutedfor catch 25. Rod 29 is bolted at 58 to projection 55. The auxiliaryrocker arms 36 are removed and the device is operated as a leveller, thedigging plates 21 engaging the ground, and ad ustment of the bucketbeing effected by operation of the latch bar 29.

now ready to be V Shaft 43 may be power actuated from the tractor motoror an auxiliary motor. Refer-rmg to Fig. 8- a reversing gear set 1sshown. The-prime'mover or. motor is connected to shaft 59. The shaft isjournalled in a housing on suitable bearings. Shaft 59 has a bore at oneend and a cross slot at the center. Idly mounted on shaft 59 is asprocket 61 having end flanges 61a and 61?; forming clutch faces. Fixedon shaft 59 is a clutch plate 62 for engagement by clutch flange 61b.Idly mounted on the shaft is a clutch operating plate 63. At the side ofsprocket 61 and idly mounted on the shaft 59 is a gear 64 having endclutch flanges 64a and 64b coacting with a clutch plate 65 and a clutchoperating plate 66 which are counterparts of those coacting with thesprocket 61. Slidably mounted in the bore of shaft 59 is a rod 67 havinga cross pin 68 for engagement with either clutch operating plate 63 or66. \Vhen plate 63 is forced against flange 6111, the sprocket 61 ismoved todispose flange 61b in clutching contact with clutch plate 62 andthe sprocket is rotated with the shaft. \Vhen plate 66 is forced againstflange 64a, gear 64 is rotated. When one sprocket is clutched, the otheris unclutched and vice versa. Shaft 59 has a collar 68 and strap 69enabling the use of a hand lever to operate the clutches. countershaft70 is journalled in the housing 60 and carries a sprocket wheel 71 and agear 72. Sprocket wheel 71 is geared to sprocket 61 by a sprocket chain7 3 and gear'72 meshes with gear 64. \Vhen sprocket 61 is turned, thecountershaft is rotated in one direction and when gear 64 is rotated thecountershaft is turned in the opposite direction. Thus, by operating rod67 the direction of rotation of the shaft 70 may be controlled and whenthe rod 67 is in an intermediate position the shaft 70 is idle. Shaft 70 is connected to actuating shaft 43. Thus, the rotation of shaft 43 maybe controlled.

\Vhat I claim is 1. A scraper comprising a frame supported at the frontand rear, and a revoluble bucket mounted on said frame between the frontand rear; said frame having side bars with rule joints intermediate theends to enable said joints to break upwardly, restrain downward breakingand hold the sections of said side bars in alinement; a revoluble bucketjour-.

7 front and rear; said frame having side bars bucket. journalled onopposite like sections of said side bars on axes offset rearwardly ofthe center of gravity of saidbucket whereby the bucket in rolling overto dump will engage the ground and break said joints and may be disposedto clear the ground in carry- 1ng position; and means to selectivelyhold said bucket and to positively move it in both directions to aplurality of positions.

3. A wheeled scraper comprising a frame supported at the front and rear,and a revoluble bucket mounted on said frame between the front and rearto be turned to carrying, digging and dumping-positions; said framehaving side bars with rule joints intermediate the ends to enable saidjoints to break upwardly, restrain downward breaking and hold thesections of said side bars in alinement; a revoluble bucket journalledon opposite like sections of said side bars on axes ofl'set rearwardlyofthe center of grav ity of said bucket whereby the-"bucket in rollingover to dump will engage the ground and break said joints and may bedisposed: to clear the ground in carrying position; a: longitudinallymovable actuatinginembe'r carried by said frame adapted to beselectively coupled to said bucket and positively-tilt the latter tocarrying-or digging positions; an apron for thefront ofwsaid"bucket,supporting arms pivotally secured to said apron on spaced axesand pivotally mounting said apron on said frame'flon spacediaxes;am'echanical movement connected to said member for swinging saidapron-from closed'position when said bucket'is in carrying P0814 tion toopen position'when said bucket is in digging position, and meansto'cause said actuating member to be' moved longitudinally andwhencoupled to said-bowl to hold or revolve the latter; I

4. A wheeled scraper comprising a frame supported at "the front andrear, and a revoluble bucket mounted onsaid frame between the front andrear to be turned to carrying, digging and dumping positions; said framehaving side bars with rule joints intermediate the ends to enable saidjoints to break upwardly, restrain downward breaking and hold thesections of said side barsin alinement; arevoluble bucket journalled onopposite like sections of said side bars on axes oflset rearwardly ofthe center of said bucket whereby-the bucket'in rolling over to dump'will engagethe ground and break said jointsand may be disposedto clearthe ground in carrying position; a

a longitudinally movable Q actuating member carried by said frameadapted to be selectively coupled to said bucket and positively tilt thelatter to carrying or digging positions;

a rocker arm pivot'ally secured at'its ends on 7 said frameand to saidmember, a connecting link pivotally securetl at one end to said arm, anapron for the front of said'bucket, supporting arms pivotally secured tosaid apron on spaced axes and pivotally mounting said apron on saidframe on spaced axes, a connecting arm pivotally secured at one end tosaid apron, a mechanical movement connected between the other end ofsaid connecting arm and said member for swinging said apron from closedposition when said bucket is in carrying position to open position whensaid bucket is in digging position; and means to cause said actuatingmember to be moved longitudinally and when coupled to said bowl to holdor revolve-the latter.

5. A wheeled scraper comprising a frame supported at the front and rear,and'a revoluble bucket mounted on said frame between the front and rear;said frame having side bars with rule joints intermediate the ends toenable said joints to break upwardly, restrain downward breaking andhold the sections of said side bars in alinement; a revoluble bucketjournalled on opposite like sections of said side bars on axes oflsetrearwardly of the center of gravity of said bucket whereby the bucket inrolling over to dump will engage the ground and brake said joints andmay be disposed to clear the ground in carrying position; alongitudinally movable actuating member carried by said frame adapted tobe selectively coupled to said bucket and positively tilt the latter;guide means for said member on said frame and movable therewith,connecting means having a cam follower at one end and being secured atthe other end to said guide means, an apron I for the front of saidbucket, supporting arms pivotally secured to said apron on spaced axesand pivotally mounting said apron on said frame on spaced axes, aconnecting arm pivotally secured at one end to said apron and having acam secured to its other end and to said frame for pivotal movement,said follower riding in said ca m; and means to cause said actuatingmember to be moved longitudinally and when coupled to said bowl to holdor'revolve the latter. A

6. A scraper adapted to be drawn across the surface of the groundcomprising a frame,

and a revoluble bucket mounted on said' .1s 1n carrying position to openposition when said bucket is in digging position; and means to causesaid actuating member to-be moved longitudinally and when coupled tosaid bowl to hold or revolve'the latter.

7. A scraper adapted to be drawn across it cured at one end to saidguide means, an

apron for the front of said bucket, supporting arms pivotally secured tosaid apron on and pivotally mounting said apron on said frame, aconnecting arm pivotally secured at one end to said apron, a mechanicalmovement secured to said link, said connecting arm and to said frame forswinging said apron from closed position when said bucket is in carryingposition to open position when said bucket is in digging position; andmeans to cause said actuating member to be moved longitudinally and whencoupled to said bowl to hold or revolve the latter.

8. A scraper adapted to be drawn across the surface of the groundcomprising a frame and a revoluble bucket mounted on said frame; alongitudinally movable actuating -member carried by said frameadapted'to be and digging positions; a rocker arm pivotal- 1y secured atits ends on said frame and to said member, a connecting link pivotallysecured at one end to said arm, an apron for the front of said bucket,supporting arms pivotally secured to said apron on spaced axes, andpivotally mounting said apron on said frame on spaced axes, a connectingarm pivotally secured at one end to said second supporting arm, amechanical movement secured to the other end of said connecting arm andto said frame for swinging said apron from open position when saidbucket is in digging position or to closed position when said bucket isin carrying position; and means to cause tudinally and when coupled tosaid bowl to hold or revolve the latter.

9. A scraper adapted to be drawn across the surface of the groundcomprising a frame and a revoluble bucket mounted on said frame; alongitudinally movable actuating member carried by said frame adapted tobe selectively coupled to said bucket to hold the latter in and topositively tilt it to carrying and digging positions; guide means forsaid member on said frame and movable" therewith, connecting meanshaving a cam follower at one end and being secured at the other end tosaid guide means, an apron for the front ,of said. bucket, supporting,

arms pivotally secured to said apron on spaced axes and pivotallymountlng said apron on said frame on spaced axes, a connecting armpivotally secured at one end to said apron and having a cam secured toits other end and to said frame for pivotalmovement, said followerriding in said cam; and

5 means to cause said actuating member to be moved longitudinally andwhen coupled to said bowl to hold or revolve the latter.

10. An earth moving device adapted to be moved across the surface of thegroundcomprising a supporting frame; a revoluble bucket on saidframeadapted to be disposed in carrying, digging o:- dumping position,an apron adapted to close or open the mouth of said bucket; meansconnecting said apron, and'frame, and mechanism for engagement with saidbucket to tilt the latter and connected to said apron to maintain thelatter in position closing said mouth in carrying position of saidbucket and to maintain said apron in open position in dumping anddigging position of said bucket.

11. n earth moving device adapted to be moved acrdss the surface of theground com prising a supporting frame and a revoluble bucket mounted onsaid frame to have a load carrying, digging or dumping position; alongitudinally movable actuating member carried by said frame adapted tobe selectively coupled to said bucket and positively tilt the latter; arocker arm pivotally secured at its ends on said frame and to saidmember, a connecting link having a cam follower at one end and beingpivotally secured at the othe 1' end to said arm, an apron for the frontof said bucket, a supporting arm pivotally mounting said apron on saidbucket, a second supporting arm pivotally mounting said apron on saidframe, a connecting arm pivotally secured at one end to said apron andhaving a cam secured to its other end and to said frame for pivotalmovement, said follower riding in said cam; and means to cause saidactuating member to be moved longitudinally and when coupled to saidbowl to hold or revolve the latter.

'12. A wheeled scraper comprising a frame supported at the front andrear, and a revoluble bucket mounted on said frame between the front andrear; said. frame having side bars with rule joints intermediate theends to enable said joints to break upwardly and restrain downwardbreaking and hold the sections of said side bars in alinement; arevoluble bucket journalled on opposite like sections of said side barson axes offse't rearwardly of the center of said bucket whereby thebucket in rolling over to dump will engage the ground and break saidjoints and may be disposed to clear the ground in carrying position;arcuately spaced stops on said bucket, a longitudinally movableactuating member carried by said frame adapted to extend over said stopsand be coupled to said bucket, latch means on said member comprisingdogs ,facing one another, the rear dog enabling a stop to pass thereovertoward the front dog, manually operable means to selectively hold thefront dog in latching position or to enable lifting thereof to release astop ;and means to cause said actuating memi' her to be movedlongitudinally and when coupled to said bowl to revolve or hold thelatter.

13. A wheeled scraper comprising a frame.

luble bucket mounted on said frame between the front and rear; saidframe having side bars with rule joints intermediate the ends to enablesaid joints to break upwardly and restrain downward breaking and holdthe sections of said side bars in alinement; a revoluble bucketjournalled on opposite like sections of said side bars 'on axes ofi'setrearwardly of the center of said bucket whereby the bucket in rollingover to dump will engage the ground and break said joints and may bedisposed to clear the ground in carrying position; arcuately spacedstops on said bucket, a longitudinally movable actuating member carriedby said frame adapted to extend over said stops and be coupled to saidbucket, latch means on said member compris ing dogs facing one another,the rear dog enabling a stop to pass thereover toward the front dog,manually operable means to selectively hold the front dog in latchingposition or to enable lifting thereof to release a stop;

' a rocker arm pivotally secured atone end on said frame and pivoted atitsother end to said rod; power actuated mechanism to cause saidactuating member to be moved longitudinally and when coupled to saidbowl to hold orrevolve the latter; and manually operable control meansfor said power actuated mechanism to cause said actuating member totravel longitudinally in either direction a selected distance.

14. A wheeled scraper comprising a frame supported at the front andrear, and a revoluble bucket mounted on said frame between the front andrear; said frame having side bars with rule joints intermediate the endsto enable said joints to break upwardly and restrain downward breakingand hold the sections of said side bars in alinement: a revoluble bucketjournalled on opposite like sections of said side bars on axes ofl'setrearwardly of the center of said bucket" whereby the bucket in rollingover to dump will en-' gage the ground and break said joints and may bedisposed to clear the groundin carrying position; arcuately spaced stopson said bucket, a longitudinally movable actuating member carried bysaid frame adapted to extend over said stops and be coupled to saidbucket, latch means on said member comprising dogs facing one another,the rear dog cuabling a stop to pass thereover toward the front dog,manually operable means to selectively hold the front dog in latchingposition or to enable lifting thereof to release a. stop; a' rocker armpivotally secured at one end-on said frame and pivoted at its other endto said rod, a connecting link pivotally secured at one end to said arm,an apron for the front of said bucket, supporting arms pivotally-securedto'said apron on spaced axes and pivotally mounting said apron on saidframe on spaced axes, a connecting arm pivotally se cured at one end tosaid apron, a mechanical movement connected to said frame and link andto said connecting arm to swing saidbucke member carried by said frameadapted to apron away from said bucket on tilting the latter fromloading position; and means to cause said actuating member to be movedlongitudinally and when coupled to said bowl to sections of saidsidebars on axes offset rearwardly of the center of said bucket wherebythe bucket in rolling over to dump will engage the ground andbreak saidoints and may be disposed to clear the ground in carrying position;arcuately spaced stops on said a longitudinally movable actuating extendover said stops and be coupled to said bucket, latch means on saidmember comprising dogs facing one another, the rear dog enabling a stopto pass thereover toward the front dog, manually operable means toselectively hold the front dog in latching posi tion or to enablelifting thereof torelease a stop; guide means for said member on saidframe movable with said member, a connec ing link having a cam followerat one'end.

oluble bucket journalled on opposite like sections of said side bars onaxes ofi'set rearwardly pf the center ofsaid bucket wherebythe'bucketrin rolling over to dumpwill en gage the ground and break saidoints and may be disposed to clear the groundin car ing position;arcuately spaced stops on said bucket, a longitudinally movableactuating end to said rod, connecting means having a cam follower at oneend and being secured at the other end to said arm, an apron for thefront of'said bucket, supporting arms pivotally secured to said apron onaxes and pivotallymounting said apron on said frame on spaced axes, aconnecting arm pivotally secured at one end to said apron for pivotalmovement and having a cam securedeto its other end and to said frame forpivotal movement, said follower riding on said cam; and means 'to causesaid actuating rod to be moved longitudinally and when coupled to saidbowl to hold or revolve the latter.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my namethis 23rd day of July, 1931. CHARLES LE BLEU.

and secured at'the other end to said uide means, an apron for the frontof said bucket, supporting arms pivotally secured to said apron onspaced axes and pivotally mounting said apron on said frame on spacedaxes, a connecting arm pivotally secured at one end to said secondsupporting arm and having a cam secured to its other end and to saidframe for pivotal movement, said follower riding in said cam; and meansto cause said actuating member to be moved longitudinally and whencoupled to said bowl to hold or revolve the latter.

16. wheeled scraper comprising a framt supported at the front 'andrear,and a revoluble bucket mounted on said frame'between the front and rear;said frame having side bars with rule joints intermediate the ends toenable said joints to break upwardly and restrain downward breaking andhold the sections of said side bars in alinement; a revspaced

